Huge crowds file past Nelson Mandela's body in Pretoria

Thousands of South Africans have queued to view the body of former President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria.

Mr Mandela's body was lying in state at the government buildings where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994.

Among those paying their respects were his widow Graca Machel, President Jacob Zuma, celebrities including Bono and other relatives and officials.

Mr Mandela died last Thursday at the age of 95 and will be buried on Sunday.

At the scene

By Joseph WinterBBC News, Pretoria

They came in wheelchairs and pushchairs - black, white and everything in between. Some broke down in tears and needed to be supported; others were just subdued. There was certainly no singing.

I met an Asian and a black family who had made friends while waiting for hours in the queue for the buses coming to the Union Buildings.

Some said that seeing the body meant they could accept their tata, or father, had really gone. Thobeka Mohlahlo came with her two young children and so did not actually see the body, but "just being here helped". A white soldier was helping her by carrying one of the children towards the bus. Nelson Mandela would be proud how far his rainbow nation has come.

His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province.

Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service on Tuesday, as part of a series of commemorations.

The former president's grandson, Ndaba Mandela, said his grandfather would have been touched by the way his death had united people all over the world.

"I think he would have been completely humbled by it, to see so many people just share their love, their appreciation, just the sense of appreciation that he has given them," he said.

Patience of the crowds

People queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mr Mandela's body.

Thousands managed to gain entry, but the BBC's Peter Biles in Pretoria says hundreds more were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30 GMT).

Mr Mandela's coffin will be lying in state for two more days, so the disappointed can try again on Thursday or Friday.

Earlier, crowds watched as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings.

Mr Mandela's widow Graca Machel was among those who filed past his coffin on Wednesday
South Africans queued for hours to get a glimpse of their hero
Small crowds had already gathered as the coffin was driven through Pretoria on the way to the Union Buildings
The mood was celebratory rather than sombre in most places

The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 on Wednesday.

The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag, in a convoy with military outriders and ambulances.

Mr Mandela's remains will make the journey from the military hospital every morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government announced.

"The public are encouraged to form a guard of honour by lining the streets," it said.

Crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past.

"Seeing him passing by was the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. I just wanted to see him passing for the last time," said one mourner, Grace.

Zuma booed

Meanwhile the government has been criticised over several mistakes in its handling of Mr Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday.

There were also difficulties with transport: dozens of trains that had been reserved to take people to the stadium were delayed due to power failures.

The South African newspaper City Press alleged that the state broadcaster SABC instructed its production staff to cut away from live footage of President Jacob Zuma, because he was being booed by sections of the crowd. SABC has denied the allegation.

Lying in state

Nelson Mandela's body lies in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria 11-13 December

Coffin taken every morning from the mortuary to the Union Buildings

Public encouraged to line the route

Mandela family and selected visitors viewed the body from 10:00 on Wednesday; open to public from midday

The public will then be able to view the body from 08:00 to 17:30 on Thursday and Friday